Surface decorating method and apparatus



Feb. 13, 1934. 1.. v. cAsTo El AL 3 4.

SURFACE DECORATING METHOD AND APPARATUS -Filed May 28. 1950 PatentedFeb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SURFACE DECORATING METHODAPPARATUS tion of Michigan Application May 28, 1930. Serial No. 456,319

5 Claims.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple andeflicient method of and apparatus for graining or similarly decoratingthe surfaces of blanks, such for example as rings, boxes and similarshapes having surfaces which deviate from a single plane. The method isparticularly useful in connection with bent sheet metal members, suchfor example as L-shaped, U-shaped or S-shaped members and boxes ofvarious shapes with continuous or substantially continuous side walls tobe decorated.

Still another object is to provide an efiicient method for decorating anumber of deviating but substantially contiguous surfaces of an articlein one continuous operation.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description which relates to the accompanying drawingillustrating the preferred steps in carrying out the invention as wellas suitable apparatus therefor. The essential characteristics aresummarized in the claims.

Tn the drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing in side elevationan apparatus including a plurality of rolling elements by which themethod may be carried into effect and showing one type of blank in crosssection, the exterior sur-' faces of which blank are to be decorated;Fig. 2 is a view at right angles to Fig. 1, according to the line 2-2 onthe latter figure; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of still another type ofapparatus by which the method may be carried into effect; Figs. 4 to 'l'are illustrations in perspective of various types of work which may bedecorated by the present method; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view ofstill another shape of article which may be decorated by the method, andsuitable apparatus therefor, and Fig. 9 is a. plan view of a stilldiffer ent shaped article and additional apparatus which may be used todecorate this and similar shapes.

In the class of surface decoration of I which wood graining is anexample, considerable time is lost or expense incurred in decorating thedesired surfaces of shapes such as illustrated. Unlike ordinarydecorative work, the pieces must, in general, be fully formed before thedecorative design is applied.

Referring to the shape of article shown in Fig. '7 for example, andassuming this is a sheet metal box or cover, the sides 1a and corners 1bmay be grained by a hand roller carrying the pigment pattern, the rollerbeing pressed against the box with the latter supported, say on aspecial mandrel. This is tedious and each shape and/or size of articlerequires a separate marl- (o1. on-s5) The present method saves a greatamount of time, in comparison with those above outlined, and other, forexample, previouslyknown methods, and may, in general, be carried outwithout the use of special mandrels and with very simple equipment, aswill be hereinafter shown.

Moreover, the problems heretofore presented by rounded corners,particularly in machine graining for example, are entirely eliminated.

The outstanding feature of the invention is that the blank or member tobe decorated is allowed to swing and travel in the various directions itnaturally tends to, in being decorated, such directions being determinedby the shape of the blank.

Referring to Fig. 1, a pattern roll, such for w example, as an intaglioprinting cylinder, is shown conventionally at A, to which roll may beapplied a suitable film of pigment, the excess pigment being scraped offin a known manner, leaving a pigment pattern on the surface. pigmentpattern may be transferred to a resilient roll B and this pattern thentransferred from the roll B to the work.

The element B may take various shapes; in Fig. 8 for example, it isshown as a belt rather than a roll. Further the element B may carry thepattern without the use of a pattern roll, as by having the desiredpattern configurations formed on it, in intaglio or relief effect, forexample, depending on the mode of printing selected or best adapted. Theelement B may moreover be of any shape in longitudinal cross sectionrather than of generally cylindrical shape as shown; e. g. for operatingon ribbed or grooved work shapes the element B may have corresponding'ribs or grooves. The element B may be termed the pattern transfermember whether or not it has the design configurations formed on it, asabove suggested.

The work, as illustrated in Figs, land 2, comprises a continuous hollowmember, such as the sides of aspecial shaped box, to which top and/orbottom members may be later secured to complete it. The work may, ofcourse, compriseany suitable material, sheet metal or pressed board Suchfor example of the necessary thickness for strength. The work blank isindicated at 1 in all figures, the side portion at 1a and the corners at1b. The blank is shown, in Figs. 1 and D. One of the elements, A, B orC, may be suit ably driven to advance the work, or all three may bedriven.

Suppose, for example, the roll B'is turned by any suitable power devicein the direction of the'arrow, Fig. 2. It is preferable 'to also drivethe pressure roller in, of course, the opposite direction and atthe'same or substantially the same surface speed, as that of the roll B.As the roll B is thus driven and pressure is applied by the roller Ctoward the axis of the roll B, the blank will be fed first horizontally,as shown, and the pigment pattern on the roll B will be transferred toone exterior surface 1a of the blank. When the corner nearest theprinting contact line is reached, the blank will assume the positionshown in broken lines at 1', during the time the corner is beingprinted, and will then again as.- sume a position similar to that shownin full lines. This free repositioning of the blank by bodily swingingmovement thereof, as required by the shape of the corners and otherdeviations from a plane surface, results in very good work at allportions of the blank, notwithstanding the simplicity of the apparatusand, in general, notwithstanding whether the corners are sharp orrounded.

It is obviously desirable in many cases to provide a guide for the workto definitely locate it with reference to the pattern on the roll B. Oneor more of such guides may be provided, which would simply extendadjacent the blank on one element B is shown in upright position andthe' pressure roller C supported parallel thereto but free at itsupper-end to allow the work to be placed over it'endwise of the roller.The roller may be moved by an operating arm E which may be pivoted as ate to any suitable support (not shown). The roller may be mounted on thearm or otherwise connected to it for mbvement thereby. F indicatesaguide which in this arrangement is also a supporting table for the work.The table has an opening I through which the pressure roller C or itssupporting shaft may extend. Such an apparatus is particularly useful inthat it is adaptable for other kinds of work than. that specificallyconcerned with in the present method. For example, straight ,strips orblanks may be readily handled as in an ordinary grainingmachine, by thisform of apparatus. The shape such as shown in Fig. 4 might be set downon the table and fed edge foremost into the bite of the elements B andC; those like Figs. 6 and 7 would be set down-over the roller asheretofore suggested.

It will be seen that in any case, the blank will be supported and guidedfor "its various movements by the table and the movements will beentirely as determined by the shape of the blank. In case both the rollB and roller C are positively driven, it is preferable that the roller Cbe of such size that it will fully enter the comers to prevent blurringthe work by relative slippage.

If desired, the arrangement of apparatus elements may be reversed andthe interior surfaces of blanks, such as shown at 1 in Fig. 1, forexample decorated. In' suchcase, the pattern transfer element would belocated on the inside of the blank, and the pressure element outside.

In case of blanks, such as shown in plan in Fig. 9, wherein one or moreof the side walls have inward protuberances, such as shown at 1c forexample, or in other cases presenting similar problems portions of theblank may require tem-. porary fill-out inserts, such as the arcuateblock G in Fig. 9. This figure further illustrates that the work blankdoes not have to be of uniform cross section insofar as the effectiveoperation of the method is concerned.

It will be understood that the pigment pattern application is or-may bean intermediate step in a decorative process, such as wood marble andlike graining, and there may be as many applications or imprints asdesired. Ordinarily the blank is first treated. to give it a groundcolor appearance as by dipping it in suitable paint and drying thecoating. The pigment transfer or transfers are then applied as abovedescribed. Afterward, or between the successive imprints if desired,other coatings are applied, for example locking coats of lacquer orvarnish and finally a finishing varnish. The various imprints andcoatings are of course suitably dried or baked on.

It will be seen from the above that the sheet materials of the blanksillustrated could not receive the decorative treatment outlined above,prior to shaping because the finish would crack during such formationinto L-shapes, U-shapes, etc. boxes, frames and the like.

We claim:

.1. A method of decorating the surfaces of at ticles having relativelyabrupt bends, comprising supporting the article adjacent a movingpigment applying member, continuously supplying a pigment pattern to themember, and continuously' applying rolling pressure to the surface ofthe article opposite the pigment applying member to thereby cause thearticle to be frictionally driven bodily while allowing it to swingfreely in the general plane of the article as required by the successivebends thereof.

2. A method of decorating the exterior surfaces of substantially hollowshaped articles havmg abruptly bent portions, comprising supporting theentire weight of the article in edgewise contact with a guide to presentthe exterior surface of the article to a moving pigment applying memberand continuously applying rolling pressure to the interior surface ofthe article opposite the pigment applying member and thereby causing thearticle to be driven and swung bodily as required by the shape of thearticle.

3. The method of graining a generally hollow sheet metal member havingrelatively abrupt bends, comprising treating the member to cause it torepresent the ground color of the grain design, and then driving themember by rolling contact with oppositely disposed graining and pressureelements, and moving said elements relments, while supporting the memberin loosely embracing relation to one, of such elements and free to swingabout such element as requiredby the shape of the member.

4. The method of decorating articles having surfaces deviating from asingle plane, said surfaces having edges lying in a common plane,

comprising supporting the entire weight of the article on a guidecontacting the edg s, presenting the surfaces to a moving patterntransfer member and continuously applying rolling pressure to the otherside of the article surface opposite the pattern transfer member, andthereby causing the pattern to be continuously transto the surface ofthe filler member opposite the pattern transfer member to thereby causethe article to be frictionally driven bodily while allowing it to swingfreely on the support.

LLOYD V. CASTO. GUIDO VON WEBERN DlSCLAIMER 1,946,483.LZ03 d V. Uaszfo,Detroit, Mich, and Guido eon Webern, Dayton, Ohio. SURFACE DECORATINGMETHOD AND APPARATUS. Patent dated February 13, 1934. Disclaimer filedAugust 8, 1941, by the assignee, Oxford Varnish Oarpomtion. Herebyenters a, disclaimer to claims 1 and 4 of said patent.

[Ofiicz'al Gazette September 2, 1.941.]

